BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Health proposes to increase the monthly allowance of 221 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in this city.
The committee pushes for the amendment of City Ordinance No. 956, Series of 2021, to increase the monthly allowance of the BHWs from P5,500 to P7,000.
Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella, the committee chairperson, justified that the current stipend for BHWs is insufficient to meet the demand for prices of basic commodities.
“The increase is one way of expressing their appreciation to the front-liners who have tirelessly worked to ensure that every Bacolodnon is provided with proper health care,” he said.
The city council approved the proposed amendment to the ordinance during its first reading on Nov. 22.
“The Department of Health recommends a ratio of one BHW per 20 households. However, BHWs in reality typically deal with 200 to 300 households,” Puentevella also said, adding they hope for the proposal’s approval before yearend.
There were also 29 BHWs whose allowances were being paid by their respective barangays. Puentevella hoped that the barangay would allocate funds for an increase as well./PN
